Tuition at U. Central Florida and the other 10 public universities in the state could increase by 15 percent this fall if approved by the state universities’ Board of Governors this Friday.
Undergraduate tuition could rise from $4,525.50 this past school year to $5,204.32 for 30 credit hours in the 2010-11 school term, according to Grant Heston, the assistant vice president of UCF News & Information.
“UCF needs this 15 percent increase to remain competitive and provide the education our students deserve,” Heston said. “With this, we can hire more faculty and offer additional courses.”
All 11 universities applied for the maximum annual tuition increase state law allows: 15 percent. This percentage is the sum of tuition increases approved in the annual state budget by state legislature and the additional differential tuition universities can request.
The universities aren’t required to charge the maximum each year. After the state legislature approves a certain percentage increase, universities are free to request differential tuition of any percentage up to 15.
During its last session, the Florida Legislature approved an 8 percent increase for fall tuition. Each of the universities’ boards requested an additional 7 percent in differential tuition to meet the 15 percent cap.
In 2008, when differential tuition was first approved, universities were authorized to request a 9 percent differential tuition on top of the 6 percent increase approved by legislature. All except UCF did.
Instead, UCF held the increase to 3 percent, jumping only 9 percent rather than 15 so that students could adjust. Since then, UCF has requested the highest differential tuition amount each year.
“I don’t think they should raise tuition,” said Rochelle Hernandez, a junior psychology major. “We’re having hard times economically right now. No one is going to be happy about this.”
It is anticipated that schools will apply for the maximum differential tuition as long as they can because of the economy and budget cuts.
“Right now, the tuition increases are really driven by economic conditions,” Heston said.
Some students feel the budget strains could be solved without raising tuition.
“There are other ways for UCF to save money besides raising tuition, like stop buying palm trees or turn off some lights,” said Nicole Price, a senior social sciences education major.
Thirty percent of the money collected from differential tuition must be set aside for need-based financial aid. Last year, UCF awarded more than $300 million in financial aid, according to Heston. The other 70 percent is for improving undergraduate education.
“I work for student accounts, so even though I may not want tuition increased, I can see why it needs to,” said Randall Williams, a senior accounting major. “You’ve got to accept the good with the bad. To have these programs and this campus, we’ve got to have it.
Before I started working behind the scenes and seeing where the funds went, I was one of those people saying ‘Oh my god, they’re raising tuition,’ but now that I know, I see the good and the purpose in it.”
Differential tuition provides schools with more money without adding to the strain on the state’s Bright Futures merit scholarship program, as differential tuition is not covered by Bright Futures and is an out-of-pocket expense for students. However, any tuition increases approved by Legislature are covered through Bright Futures.
Not all students have to pay differential tuition. Some exemptions are based on income and enrollment date, such as students continuously enrolled prior to July 1, 2007. Those on prepaid tuition plans purchased before that same date are also exempt.
“It doesn’t really affect me,” said Brian Hoehn, a senior electrical engineering major. “I am on Bright Futures and Florida pre-paid, so it just means I get less money [each] year, but I don’t want it continually increasing.”
Florida’s public university tuition is among the lowest in the nation, partly becauseLegislature wants to keep the cost to the state in check.
These annual 15 percent increases are steadily bringing Florida’s tuition and fees up to the national average at public four-year schools. The increases can continue only until Florida schools meet that average, which, according to the College Board, in 2009-2010, is $7,020.
“Florida universities’ tuition is among the lowest in the country,” Heston said. “Our students are getting an incredible value on their education, even with the increase.”
The Princeton Review and Kiplinger’s ranked UCF in the top 50 nationally for universities that combine excellent economic value with an outstanding education in 2010.
The Board of Governors is meeting this week at UCF to discuss the proposed tuition hikes and will vote Friday. Members will hear from all 11 universities as they plan for the coming year. The board will likely approve the requested differential tuition as they have in the past.
“The state legislature assumed there would be a 7 percent differential tuition at each institution when they decided on the 8 percent,” said Bill Edmonds, the director of communications for the Florida Board of Governors. “I can’t say whether they will approve it or not — we will find out Friday — but all the board members have studied this material for a good while, and they’ll make a decision.”